After the recent post about the radial disk failure and the inability to use the emergency tiller because of tangled steering cables, I'm looking for a wire rope/cable cutter to carry on-board. Would also be used for emergency cutting of standing rigging.
What do you use? Seems like the straight jaws of a bolt cutter would have a hard time gripping the wire rope.
Many thanks,
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Ken Akers
1995 C-36 MkII #1378 SR/FK M35A
San Francisco Bay
The cable used for steering is smaller than that of the rigging. You can find reasonably affordable cable cutters (bolt cutters don't work) for the steering cable but they will not be able to go through the rigging. The 1/4" is very tough and the 5/16" is much worse.
Derigging tools are mandatory on lots of offshore races, even in the Great Lakes. What I keep on the boat meets the race rules and will do either steering or rigging pretty well. It's essentially a set with a good hacksaw, a dozen or so premium hacksaw blades, and a vice grips pliers to hold the wire. It's very difficult to hold without the pliers. Keep it all well oiled in a plastic bag and it should be ready to go when you need it. Cheap hacksaw blades might get you past the race committee inspection but they would never do the job in a crisis.
Greg
Greg Jackson
SV Jacqui Marie
2004 C36, MKII
tall rig, wing keel,
Personally, I use a quality cordless rotary tool (not Harbor Freight) with a cut-off wheel. Can cut SS wire, rod, bolts, battery cables, fiberglass, wood, plastic, slots into screw heads, etc. Snap on a sanding drum and fix those sticky drawers and cabinets, a sharpening stone and go after those nicks in your prop, a brass wheel to clean tarnish and rust. My go-to tool.
Nick Caballero
Retired C36/375IA Mk II Technical Editor
Thanks for your input, Greg and Nick.
Good points about high quality hacksaw blades and also a cordless rotary tool.
Ken Akers
1995 C-36 MkII #1378 SR/FK M35A
San Francisco Bay